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Fewer participate in the 2014 McQueen's Island Trail race

The Ledesma Sports Medicine Rails to Trails Ultra 2014 was held on Saturday to raise funds for the McQueen's Island Trail. Marcus E. Howard/Savannah Morning News

The Ledesma Sports Medicine Rails to Trails Ultra 2014 was held on Saturday to raise funds for the McQueen's Island Trail. Marcus E. Howard/Savannah Morning News

The Ledesma Sports Medicine Rails to Trails Ultra 2014 was held on Saturday to raise funds for the McQueen's Island Trail. Marcus E. Howard/Savannah Morning News

Organizers of this year’s rails to trails race over the weekend to raise money for the McQueen’s Island Trail say it may not have been as successful as the first event in 2013.

On Saturday morning, a reported 187 runners participated in the Ledesma Sports Medicine Rails to Trails Ultra 2014, which included a 5K, 10K, 25K and 50K. The purpose of the event was to raise money for repairs to the six-mile McQueen’s Island Trail off U.S. Hwy. 80, which has partially closed due to continued erosion.

Organizers said Monday that they had not tallied race expenses and could not provide a figure for how much money was raised.

The number of registered participants was significantly down compared to the 266 runners who raced in 2013. Last year $10,000 was raised and awarded to the Chatham County government to help pay for repair work.

Dan Hernandez, race director, thinks the weather may have been a factor as he said 266 actually signed up for Saturday.

“Financially, I do not believe the 2014 race will surpass or match the 2013 race,” he wrote in an email.

That’s partly due to organizers having to pay for tech race shirts that they say were donated last year. The cost of timing chips as well as parking related costs at Fort Pulaski National Monument, they say, also increased. In addition, better quality medals, which are more costly, were also purchased.

On a happier note, Hernandez said the race succeeded in other ways such as by providing a safe, challenging and beautiful environment for those who participated.

“The overall vision for this race was not only to raise more funds to help with the costs of restoring and maintaining the McQueen's Island trail but to bring about awareness of these beautiful landmarks and trails that will disappear if the public does not raise their voice and call for their preservation. One year ago when Michelle Daniels and I decided to address the plight of the McQueen's Island Trail Chatham County officials were not even aware that the trail had deteriorated to such a severe degree,” said Hernandez.

“From last year's race the Lowcountry running community, along with Ledesma Sports Medicine and Fleet Feet Savannah, we were able to hand a $10,000 to Chatham County for the trail restoration efforts. That may not seem like a lot of money when compared with the $300,000 budgeted by the county but it sent a powerful statement to Chatham County that we want this trail preserved and we're willing to help alleviate some of that exorbitant costs that goes with preserving the trail.”

A modification to the 5.2-mile course was made this year due to the severe erosion of the trail, according to organizers. As a result, the 25K and 50K did not cover much of the McQueen's Island Trail.

Awards were given to the first-place female and male of each of the four races. The following is a list of winners provided by race organizers.

Overall winner of 5K: Frank Ellsworth

First place 5K male: Frank Ellsworth of Savannah, finish time : 23:19:31

First place 5K female: Araceli De La Barcena of Pooler, finish time : 27:51:58

Overall winner of the 10k: John Nguyen

First place 10K female: Meg Lego of Savannah, finish time : 56:11:07

First place 10K male: John Nguyen of Bluffton, S.C., finish time : 44:41:25